Calculus, what calculator?

[TridenT]

2c

 

[nismotigerwvu]

Originally posted by: GenHoth

Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
Wow, you're lucky, the math department here doesn't allow calculators in any of the calc courses. Sure, they keep the basic arithmetic basic but everything is by hand. So, I can't make a calculator recommendation but I can say I'm one jealous SOB right now. Pencil and paper calc III is a whore.

No, You are lucky! You'll actually be able to do calc when you get out!

I'm getting my Ph.D in Biochemistry, so while I am able to do calculus, I almost certainly never will have to.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Crono
If you are in Calc II, the TI-89 is more suited for you.

Hey, that rhymed!

Or your professor might not let you use a calculator.

Two classes, Calculus I and Partial & Ordinary Differential Equations: No calculator use at all.
Calc II: We were allowed to use a calculator, but I think the TI-86 was the highest we were permitted to use, since the TI-89 can do calculus.


For engineering though, I :heart: my TI-89. If I had to choose between sacrificing a friend and giving up my TI-89, it would depend on which friend, and just how drawn-out and painful their death would be.
I bought Eneloop AAA batteries for it at the start of the semester, and I'm figuring that they'll last at least the semester, if not a year or longer. All the strengths of alkalines, and rechargeable like regular NiMH cells.
I love the TI-89 for engineering work because it lets you easily scroll back up through previous answers and formulas, which greatly simplifies the work. Rather than having to punch in long series of numbers over and over again, you can simply scroll back through the listing to find them. It also means you can run a few trials of a problem, without having to waste time scribbling anything on paper. Once I find the method that gives a proper answer, then I'll write out everything.

If you take the FE exam though, I think they specify the kind of calculator you can use, and I think it's some kind of scientific calculator.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
They force you to do all math in Calc completely by hand? Means they make you do (746.04)(6351.0000324)/(3246.4) without a calculator?

Here, calculus tests are crafted such that you don't need to do that sort of thing, or else they don't need a numerical answer.
Some of my engineering courses are like that, one course in particular - "For certain problems, I'm not looking for a numerical answer. I'm not testing your ability to use a calculator."
The main concern there is that you can set up the proper equations correctly.

 

[Aquaman]

I rely on my trusty ??? abacus

But then again I only sell rice :Q

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[TridenT]

2c

 

[Ricemarine]

TI-89 actually helps with calculus more than the TI-84.
If only I knew that for calc I...

 

[TridenT]

2c

 

[Mo0o]

TI-89. Not sure what programs they have on it now but you might have to get a thirdparty statistics program. When I had mine, hte built in one was crap compared to the one in the TI-83

 

[Cheesetogo]

The TI-89 will probably be of more help to you, but you're going to want to make sure that it doesn't become a crutch for you. The TI-84 is probably a bit more limited, so I don't think you'd really want to buy it unless it's substantially cheaper. I got through Calc I & II perfectly fine with it though.

 

[Chaotic42]

If you have to have a calculator, get a TI-89. Make sure that you can do everything without the calculator before you use it, and even then you should check to see if your answer is reasonable.

 

[drinkmorejava]

As far as math classes go, like everyone else has said, needing an 89 is dependant on how the course is setup. In high school, the first part of our tests was always no calc, but they also emphasized knowing how to do everything on the 89 too.

As a Jr in aeronautical engineering, both skills are extremely helpful. For easy problems I already know the solution, but for calculating streamlines, it would be ridiculous to not use a calculator that can integrate and differentiate symbolically.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Crono
If you are in Calc II, the TI-89 is more suited for you.

Hey, that rhymed!

Or your professor might not let you use a calculator.

Two classes, Calculus I and Partial & Ordinary Differential Equations: No calculator use at all.
Calc II: We were allowed to use a calculator, but I think the TI-86 was the highest we were permitted to use, since the TI-89 can do calculus.


For engineering though, I :heart: my TI-89. If I had to choose between sacrificing a friend and giving up my TI-89, it would depend on which friend, and just how drawn-out and painful their death would be.
I bought Eneloop AAA batteries for it at the start of the semester, and I'm figuring that they'll last at least the semester, if not a year or longer. All the strengths of alkalines, and rechargeable like regular NiMH cells.
I love the TI-89 for engineering work because it lets you easily scroll back up through previous answers and formulas, which greatly simplifies the work. Rather than having to punch in long series of numbers over and over again, you can simply scroll back through the listing to find them. It also means you can run a few trials of a problem, without having to waste time scribbling anything on paper. Once I find the method that gives a proper answer, then I'll write out everything.

If you take the FE exam though, I think they specify the kind of calculator you can use, and I think it's some kind of scientific calculator.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
They force you to do all math in Calc completely by hand? Means they make you do (746.04)(6351.0000324)/(3246.4) without a calculator?

Here, calculus tests are crafted such that you don't need to do that sort of thing, or else they don't need a numerical answer.
Some of my engineering courses are like that, one course in particular - "For certain problems, I'm not looking for a numerical answer. I'm not testing your ability to use a calculator."
The main concern there is that you can set up the proper equations correctly.

Jeff7 summed it up perfectly.
As far as 746.04(...
In my class, if we get to that point, I'll simply say, "if anyone really cares what the numerical answer is, go for it. If we were working for a company where the answer was critical, we would be using some computer software, not doing it by hand. We got through the calculus part, you can all push buttons like good little 8th graders. Let's move on."